I would just like to say that I am doing my best and don not feel like a breastfeeding failure

[Chequers]

I planned to exclusively breastfeed DD for 6 months but unfortunately had to give her formula top-ups as she lost a lot of weight.

She is nearly 6 weeks and is still mix fed but although things haven't worked out exactly how I'd planned I realised today that I have breastfed her over 300 times and that that is an achievement in itself.

Maybe we will manage to get back to exclusive breastfeeding and maybe we won't but instead of feeling disappointed from now on I will know that I am doing my best.

That's all I wanted to say

You sound like you've done really well!

Well done ! just wanted to say you are doing a brill job and not a failure at all. I mixed fed both dcs until 6 months and it really helped me don't think I would have kept going if not mixed fed tbh!

All us mummys can do is our best !! you are doing great I am sure!

Good for you Chequers.
I didn't have much luck bfing as I had f - all help (managed 2 weeks only), but every breast feed given is excellent, so good on you.

well done

sounds like you are doing a fine job, in spite of initial difficulties, and that's all anyone can do, no guilt required.

congratulations!

I mix fed both my boys until they were 6mths, like moocow says, I wouldn't have lasted that long if I hadn't.
Well done you for making the right choice for you and your DD. The most important thing is that you are both happy, relaxed and that your DD is thriving.

Sounds like you are doing brilliantly.
Such a positive attitude is a very good thing for both of you

What a lovely post! Well done you, your attitude rocks!!!

Keep up the good work and stay happy! Your wee one needs a happy and relaxed mummy

Mixed feeding is bloody HARD, Chequers.

Jeez, the difficult bits of BF and the faff of FF too. All power to you and good on ya

You rock, power to ya!
More threads like this I think!

Well done for that Chequers, and well done for having the right mindset.

Good for you! I BF all of 4 times (not for lack of trying, believe me) - 300 is bloody wonderful, especially if you have had a difficult start. I hope you do make it to exclusive BF if that's what you want, but either way you are doing a grand job.

I am mix feeding and dd is 4mths and intend bf for as long as possible. I don't think I would have continued if DH couldnt give DD a bottle (especially as I cant express) so I am proud of myself for breast feeding at all (as I never thought I would) and for the fact that I am still going strong. Well done to you.

Thanks for that
my DS is one week old and I am mixed feeding now as he lost so much weight. Having tearful moments but he is still BFing which helps him break down the formula as well. I intend to continue expressing as long as it takes so he can carry on getting some BM even if I never get it exclusive.

Well done Chequers!
Sometimes this baby lark doesn't work out the way you'd like, does it! I am the type who would have loved a homebirth with candles and hypnobirthing and instead I have had 4 CS's!
Well done for getting so much BM into your LO, despite the difficulties.

kat, are you getting any help with the bf? Have you seen a bf counsellor? They are much more knowledgeable than MW's/HV's by and large.

Thanks everyone for your messages

Hi Kat,

I saw your other thread (the only reason I didn't reply is because I am still mix feeding at 6 weeks and didn't know if that was the kind of thing you wanted to hear).

Anyway, it sounds like we had a really similar start - my DD was readmitted to hospital at a week old having lost nearly 20% of her birth weight and given formula top-uos.

I can honestly say, it does get better. I spent a while fretting because I felt so torn between being desperate for her to put on weight and really wanting her to be exclusively breastfed. In the end, I decided to just take it one day at a time, and not to expect to much, but to see every day that I breastfed her as an achievement.

It does get better, and it sounds like you are really committed and have done really well. If you ever want to chat to someone in the same position CAT me or message me and I'll send you my email.

Good for you Chequers.
What a great post. I dream of one single breastfeed but it hasn't happened yet and my son is 3 wks old. Posts like yours inspire me, thank you!

That's a brilliant attitude to have, Chequers - well done you!! You should be very proud of yourself

well done you - doing a fab job there. x

300 breastfeeds!
Wow!
I trust you are having expert helf from breastfeedingg counsellors and not just poorly trained (in this area) HVs and GPs. If not, let us know and we will sort yuo out for contacts.

Nezzi, I also visit another board and a girl there ended up successfully latching her baby on at 9 weeks! So don't give up, it can be done!

I combination fed my twins for 4 months. DT1 went on strike and I had no support to encourage me to continue. Being an older 1st time mum I also felt stupid for asking for help. I also had mastitis and thrush but expressed through it (ouch). I felt like a total failure and reading your post has made me feel so much better. THANKS!!

Chequers & Chipmokey -
Thanks. I feel a billion times better and he is latching on so much easier now. I find it helps to start with a bit from a cup so he's not frantic when we try to latch but I can express 10-15ml now between feeds so I'm trying to give him that, and FM only after we've tried both breasts to finish off. Seems to be working well.
I have seen a BF counsellor who was brilliant, and I have the number of another woman who is very highly thought of and might get her round for a session.

Took me nearly 12 weeks to get things right with DS! It can be done, Nezzi, I fed him for 7 months in the end.